Any Witches Here Part 5.

[speakout]

Or Wiccans. or Pagans? Or anyone who is interested in a magical path or feels some magical stirrings.

A place for support, learning, swapping ideas and magical inspiration

All welcome.

I have bought what I wanted, even mum has this year. She will be lucky if the tree is put up in time, no other decorations are going up. There will be no Christmas baking done. The original high energy/input tea is going to be make your own sandwiches. She and her family will be banned from upstairs and the back of the house. Lounge, dining room, kitchen and cloak room access only. Basically her idea of perfect Early Christmas is being ignored for the bare minimum that we can get away with. (and tbh I would preferred to have cancelled entirely based on the circumstances)

Mostly it is not me that needs to stop playing her game. I haven't for years. It is my mother that needs to stop playing that game. And this year she is mad enough for that to happen.

Sokere so pleased you liked the Jess Ortner video.

I was listening to one of hers once think it was about banishing negativity and she was listing the parts of the body to name and tap for like say nervous system, muscles, organs and what sounded like 'fasha'
it took me a while to work out she'd said fascia, then more time to find out what that actually was. (Connective tissue for anyone else who doesn't know)

Speakout Looking forward to the seasonal magic this afternoon

Hills sounds as though you have it under control.

HashtagDickhead

A warm welcome.

That sounds an amazing gift you have.

Hello everyone, just catching up after a couple of days a way. I got to a place where a combination of tooth infection and over tiredness where making me feel really awful. I've had a couple of days break, worked from home, stayed away from social media and tried to avoid the news and feeling a bit more like myself. Got the tree and decorations up and been doing some baking, so the house looks and smells lovely.

Hills that all sounds horrendous, I really feel for you. How long are your family all staying for?

Good for you Hills She can like it or lump it. My dream is a desert island somewhere where Xmas doesn’t exist. As it is I have everyone coming to me but at least they will all muck in and help. I’ll be glad when it’s over though. Yule will be just the two of us so a nice meal and a short ritual to draw the sun back to us.

Morning everyone.

VioletCharlotte I hope you are starting to feel better soon.

Elphame I spent christmas on a tropical island one year in a non christian country.
No mention of christmas at all. It was refreshing.We got up at 5am to go dolphin watching as the sun rose,

I was going to post some winter magic yesterday, sorry I had no time, DD decided to come home for christmas from University.
So had to go help her tidy her flat and bring home bags, laundry etc. I will post at some point this weekend, off to an early yoga class this morning,

Beautiful frosty morning here. The sky was breathtaking on the way to work, I'm finally feeling the magic again 😊

Hope you all have good day.

VioletCharlotte

Glad you are feeling the magic again!

Me too Speakout! I've not felt like myself at all the last week or so. I'm going to my spirit development group tonight, so looking forward to working again.

My aim for the new year is to find a way to not let stress consume me and drag me down anymore!

Afternoon lovelies , just popping in to check that we're all calm and serene amid the seasonal madness.

I'm attempting to rise above, to trust that the holiday will come and go without worry or stress which on a practical level means getting certain projects wrapped up with work , believing that the gifts I've chosen are adequate and appropriate and not be panicked into buying more ' stuff', knowing there is time to plan and buy supplies for guests and generally trying to live in the moment.

VioletCharlotte Did the antibiotics do the trick ?
I hope you're taking care of yourself.

HashtagDickhead what an amazing gift to have. How did it manifest?
How has it shaped your beliefs?
You are a very special, I hope you know you are .

Speakout You've had your hands full.
I'd love to try yoga . The age old ' carving out the time ' is getting in my way as usual.
Although I'm on my feet all day with work I suspect I'm quite unfit and I'm heavy so I have this fear that I might be able to do the poses . I think a YouTube session is what's needed first.
I'm very much looking forward to your Seasonal Magic.

Incrediblehulky thanks for the recommendation, I'm going to give that a listen today.

YashmisCrone How did you get on on Wednesday?

HillsBesideTheSea I imagine your sister's pickiness stem from her own feeling of not being quite enough, she needs this control , which is not to say you need to collude.
If you come from a place of sympathy she won't wind you up so much.
I wish I had your affinity with plants , I have the magical power of death in that dept sadly , I'm not sure what that says about me.

Lots of love to everyone here.
I'd like to join in on the 23rd , I'm officially working until 6 but I'd hope to get a few moments to myself to reflect around that time.
Being part of this has given me a lovely focus at a time of year when I usually feel low and negative Speakout was correct

FilledSoda

I have enjoyed reading your catch up, seems like you are in a whirlwind right now, like rest of us.

I do intend to post a little seasonal magic soon, life keeps getting in the way of lengthy posting!!

Just a little reminder to bump the Yule/Solstice candle connection,.

Candle Connection Sunday 23rd December between 4-6pm

For those that missed the last one or are new to this thread- we had a " Candle Connection" a few weeks ago as a way of joining and sharing energies through flame.

So many of us on this thread all agreed to light a candle at the same time, and through that flame can connect, one flame is all flame, bring energy, share energy and uplift us all.

It was a really special day, and I thought that as a way to celebrate the pagan aspect of Christmas it would be nice to share and mark the Solstice, ( which is also a full moon- so watch out for sparks!!)

It would be amazing if you would like to join, light a candle, . there will be ongoing chat on the thread, if you can't join us then, later will be fine, if you are travelling or can't like a candle there are virtual candles to burn on youtube!

I appreciate it is a busy time for many of us, but it's also a way to remember that we are usually the ones that make the christmas magic happen- and we deserve to honour and thank ourselves/ the inner divine/ however you see that energy!

I can't wait!

I'm really looking forward to our candle connection ✨ The energy was beautiful last time.

Some of my magical work this week has been exploring the idea of ice and flame, I have been experimenting with ice candles.

Like some in these pictures.
I have made ice candle holders in the past which are lovely and easy to make, ( two different sized yogurt pots and a freezer) but I have been experimenting with ways to make them into magical votives.

I have use frozen spells in the past to bind or cut ties, but this idea is to charge the ice holder, ( I also perform a small ritual) then when you come to use it you can enjoy the manifestation energy and the candle burns and the ice holder melts.

I have been using moon water to make some of these, and using magical correspondences to tie into the intent.

I made an anxiety ease one this week, set sprigs of lavender and hazel in the ice.

I made a love ice candle, used a pink food colouring, dried rose petals, thinly sliced apple, small pieces of rose quartz. I used a rose fragranced candle to burn.

THe effects of these felt very magical.

I have one in my freezer right now for solar and Yule energy, infused with orange flower water, cinnamon, studded with cloves and cinnamon, I will burn it when we need an energy boost.

I'm quite excited about these spells in the freezer!!

Quite a nice thing to do when having guests- especially if you feel there may be conflict- weave a little magic into the situation

Evening all

Sorry to have missed so much of the thread recently as I’ve been swamped at work and at home. However I’m still (I hope!) relatively sane so that’s a plus. I am determined not to get stressed or ill this year.

speakout I’ll be travelling on 23 December but will join in from the car with a virtual candle. 😊

I know it’s not even Christmas yet but I was thinking about 2019 and how to cut back on unhelpful things (like too much stuff and nowhere to put it!). One came to mind unbidden - “let go of that which no longer serves you”. I can never think of these things when I want to so that’s my sankalpa for 2019.

I’m allowing myself an evening off tonight. Sitting next to the Christmas tree lights with ☕️ and listening to Annie Lennox singing. I love her voice. Cats are peaceful and so am I.

Have a peaceful evening everyone. 🌟

Speakout - I love Annie Lennox too! Your candles sound amazing.

I wanted to ask for some advice. My sister is having a lot of trouble with a tenant who is behaving like a fiend from hell . Don't quite know where that phrase came from, but it did. Any advice on a binding spell to deal with that, or anything else? She can't get rid of this tenant who is being incredibly abusive towards her and not paying rent.

Too much stuff and nowhere to put it is definitely a problem for me too.

Speakout those candles are beautiful, you're so clever!

Glad you're enjoying a bit of peace Gee. I'm feeling peaceful too after a night with my spiritual development group. Lovely evening with lovely people ❤️

FilledSoda The truth is I have a line of dead plants waiting to go on the compost heat. When life get crazy plants get forgotten. I will be impressed if the new plants last 6months atm but I am hopeful. That said I have just killed the orchid at I had successfully kept alive for a year (personal record). I just know that I am happier surrounded by plants so I live in hope that things are able to survive.

Also you are probably right about the awkward sister, tbf I have been more frustrated with my mother for enabling her.

My other sister was SOS'd yesterday so she came down this morning and her and her boyfriend have worked wizardy so bar some food shopping, putting some decoration boxes away and some laundry being dealt with tomo; we are christmassy and guest ready. Utter stars those two. Now exams next week to study for and then the wind down to relaxation.

It has been very hard to find magic amongst the crazy and stress this week. Really hoping that next week it is easier. Has anyone seen the meteor shower yet?

HillsBesideTheSea

Glad you are feeling a bit more organised. Your sister is so kind to help.

I am braving the Range this morning,

Going to be cold today with possible snow here today.

I think it will be an evening of snuggling up indoors.

Just popping in to say hi 👋

Like many of us I’ve had a lot going on and have been feeling the strain. Us humans really have created a monster with this whole Christmas thing haven’t we?

A festival to retreat, reflect and look forward to the return of the light has become something that pressures us to dash around, spend money and feel under duress to complete more tasks than we ever do at times of year when it’s more ‘natural’ to be energetic! Crazy!

Obviously we have choice and can find ways to not buy into it so much but it’s got such a strong momentum it’s hard to avoid. It’s been good to read people’s tips and reflections here.

That said, yesterday I took some time to walk in the woods, connect with the season. That really helped. I gathered some fallen evergreen branches and cones to decorate the mantelpiece. It was the grounding I needed.

speakout those candles look amazing. What a lovely way to use the frozen energy. I’ve only ever used the freezer for binding spell work, I love your perspective.

FilledSoda Wednesday went well and I’m pleased to have it ticked off the list! Thank you so much for asking about it

Violet and Gee it’s lovely to read about you feeling so peace- it’s strengthening to hear that

Hills three cheers for your sister and OH! Pleased to hear they came to help.

I’m going to brave the supermarket and post office this morning. Hoping for a quiet evening later

Just back from shopping, shops were eerily quiet- only one or two customers in the Range, retail parks were empty, same at the supermarket, Loads of parking places everywhere.

Very strange.

But good!

So now home having some tea and a mince pie.

The sky looks ominous, very dark, a few flutters of snow but the wind is building up.
A day for hunkering down!

I was watching the weather forecast on the TV earlier Speakout and thought of you when they said snow could be on the way in Scotland!

I don't think we'll get any in the south. It's very cold here and rainy.

I'm feeling strangely calm today. I've been to Aldi and ASDA. Back home now in the warm, looking forward to a cosy afternoon and evening.